Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia

The May Appalachian Trail Festival -- A Gathering Of Trail Hikers And Trail Lovers

I attended my first Trail Days event as a wanna-be thru-hiker, daydreaming about my own 2,000-mile walk. The following year, I actually hiked into Damascus, Virginia -- considered by some to be the friendliest town on the A.T. -- after walking nearly 500 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia, and attended my second Trail Days while on my own thru-hike. And I was back again the following year, reminiscing about my 178 days walking from Georgia to Maine while cheering on those who were in the midst of their own hikes.

Trail Days, still held each May on the weekend after Mother's Day, is a fun, educational, and sometimes crazy event, which draws thousands of Appalachian trail supporters, enthusiasts, and hikers -- day-hikers, section-hikers, and thru-hikers -- to this otherwise small, quiet town in the mountains of southern Virginia.

...or stay here for a few more minutes to see some videos and see and read about some of my own Trail Days experiences.

A White Blaze In Damascus - The Appalachian Trail goes right through town.

The Appalachian Trail In Downtown Damascus, Virginia | Source

That white rectangle painted on the telephone pole is a "blaze" marking the route of the Appalachian Trail. You'll find these blazes all along the trail's 2,179 miles on trees, rocks, posts, and even the occasional water fountain, speed limit sign post, and other random objects.

There are 165,000 white blazes along the length of the Trail, some of which are right in the middle of small towns like this one. I counted them all, of course!

Damascus--The Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail | Source

Trail Days in Damascus: When and How it All Started

With An Anniversary

The year 1987 was the 50th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail, which passes right through Damascus. That year, members of the Town Council decided to celebrate the anniversary with an event for hikers.

At that time, there was no town park in Damascus, so the small festival was held in the parking lot of the town hall and behind the bank. The festival was held again the following year, the year after that, and every year that's followed, growing to the tens of thousands.

In the early years of Trail Days, a street was sometimes roped off for a dance, but there were no vendors. There were only the hikers and the cyclists who followed, who inspired the town to rebuild its economy, which had been devastated by flooding and the loss of most of its industry.

Nowadays, it's estimated that the Trail Days festival easily brings in more than $1 million to Damascus during that single long weekend. Many of the local businesses depend on Trail Days, which is said to be kind of like Christmas for Damascus.

Trail Days Activities

It doesn't matter which year you go; the Trail Days traditions are always very much the same. Here are some examples of what you'll see....

The Hiker Talent Show - Where just about anything goes

Are you a hiker who sings or dances? Do you play an instrument or write and recite poetry? Are you a hiking stand-up comic or Shakespearean actor? How about an acrobat? Whatever your talent might be -- or even if you're not particularly talented but want your time on the Trail Days stage -- there's a spot for you in the talent show. Actually, in the years I was there, I saw some really good to great acts of all kinds.

The Trail Days Parade - Considered the highlight of the festival

What I consider the signature event of Trail Days is the hiker parade, which takes place on Saturday afternoon. In the procession, you'll probably see a marching band, fire engines, and high school girls competing for the title of Appalachian Trail Queen. And you'll definitely see a few thousand hikers.

The hikers are loosely grouped by the year they completed the Trail. Some wear their grungy hiker garb, while others wear costumes, many of which are makeshift and some of which are quite small. Streams of water from big squirt guns fly between paraders and spectators along Laurel Avenue, the main street through Damascus. The years I attended, a moving catapult launched water balloons a very long way.

The Drum Circle And Bonfire - Another Trail Days Tradition

A bonfire, drumming and dancing go together like thru-hikers and eau-de-sweat. Or thru-hikers and blisters and funky-colored toe nails. Or thru-hikers and BIG appetites. And every year at Trail Days when the sun goes down, you'll probably hear the drumming well before you spot the glow of the fire.

From My Appalachian Trail Journal

Part of my entry from my second time at Trail Days, as a thru-hiker:

"Total culture shock today, as I knew it would be. I woke up at first light to the sound of birds and will soon attempt to fall asleep to a drum beat. It's almost midnight in Damascus, and the drum circle is going strong. People are still walking all over. I wonder where everybody is going.

Okay, back up....

Hacker, Grant and I hiked a non-stop ten miles to the road into Troutdale. We wanted to get to town and shower, eat, and pick up Hacker's mail-drop before our ride back to Damascus arrived. The road was fairly quiet, and the few cars that passed, well ... passed. So Hacker and I did a can-can dance with our thumbs out, and a pickup truck immediately stopped and drove the five of us who were waiting to the two stores and post office that is Troutdale, VA.

Our ride -- Grant's friend -- arrived early, and we rode the forty-five minutes back to the place we'd been 49 trail miles and four days ago. I didn't really know what to do when I got back here to Damascus, so I went to the Mount Rogers Outfitters and spent some money. I got me a sports top which covers just enough skin that I can hike without a t-shirt, and a pair of nylon shorts. The ones I started out with are now way too big. Yyyayyy!

Shopping done, I proceeded to wander around town. I found Joker and Marie, who are still hiking together. They're seventeen miles north of Damascus. (Many thru-hikers who are here aren't really here, you see.) So Joker and Marie are about 32 miles behind where I really am right now. It seems so long since we hiked together. I miss them.

I ran into other current thru-hikers I know, including Superman and his dog, Winter, Shortcut and Datto. But I'm still looking for Obie. People have told me he's here somewhere. No sign of Just Ray yet, either. If he's coming back at all.

One of the people I came back here to Trail Days to meet is the person typing these journal entries into the computer. I knew Yogi the second I saw her, as we passed each other in Quincy's. We chatted for a few minutes and again later in tent city. I just returned from wandering around to look for her again, but no luck. There must be 10,000 people here!"

Here's an article about the 23rd Annual Trail Days in Damascus

Trail Days, Then And Now

How has the festival changed?

As far as I can tell (because I haven't been to Trail Days in a long time), there seem to be more vendors, presentations, and films than there used to be. And it looks like the official Trail Days three-day weekend has expanded to include activities on the Wednesday and Thursday before as well.

I also see that camping is no longer permitted in the Town Park, as we did when I attended in 1999, 2000 and 2001. At that time, camping was free. Now, there's a new tent city in a different location, with a $5 fee per camper and a $15 charge per vehicle for the weekend. I can understand why this would be necessary, though, given the huge number of visitors that inundate this small town for the festival.

Tent City in the Town Park at Trail Days 2000 -- That's my blue tent in the foreground.

Tent City in the Town Park at Trail Days 2000 -- That's my blue tent in the foreground.

Have You Been To Trail Days? Or to Damascus, Virginia, at any time of year?

No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.

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astevn816 lm

5 years ago

I have done a lot of backpacking and hiking, it is a great way to see the sites

TerriCarr

5 years ago

I just looked at the directions and it looks like it is about 5 hours away from where I am. I would definitely like to get down that way...so maybe. This is nice to know about the A.T. running through town. Cool!

mariacarbonara

6 years ago

Sounds like a great event.

anonymous

6 years ago

No, but they sound like fun

Faye Rutledge

6 years agofrom Concord VA

I live about 200 miles from Damascus Virginia, but I don't remember ever visiting there. I didn't realize the trail went through the town. (now that's my kind of hiking!) I will have to visit now. Trail Days sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing. I always love reading about your adventures!

anonymous

6 years ago

My dream is to hike the AT and have read so many awesome books in the past year. I do go to Damascus every year and ride the Creeper Trail. I plan on coming to the trail days this year 2013 just to be a part of it. A great town.

Takkhis

6 years ago

No i have not been to trial days, it would be great to visit Virginia

anonymous

7 years ago

@anonymous: Sorry you never get out. I had a great time. Met tons of people from all over the world. Saw "friends" from many previous Trail Days. Bought a funky t-shirt, enjoyed the music, fun in the sun, loved my breakfast at Mojoes, ate a free hotdog at Sundog, got bombed by water balloons in the parade, etc... Enjoyed it! I saw plenty of kids with painted faces, funnel cake, hot dogs, and big smiles on their faces.

anonymous

7 years ago

Have lived here for 25 years and never been to trail days...After going I won't ever go again... The food stands were over priced and not very good..You don't mind paying for good food and when your dog won't eat it s pretty bad...don't bring your children it only had two things for them unless you took them to the town playground.... I was really looking forward to the outing, as the saying goes been there, done that and won't ever waste my time again... I only hope that people who went and have the same complaints are truthful with there comments..

anonymous

7 years ago

Fun parties at the tent city at night at trail days. I have been twice and definitely the most memorable part if it.

aliciamaggie54

7 years ago

I never been but it looks like fun. Thank you for this information.

Mary Beth Granger

8 years agofrom O'Fallon, Missouri, USA

I've never been...but it looks like fun. blessed

LoKackl

9 years ago

I've done a lot of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park but never made more than a few short clips of the Appalachian Trail. Not for lack of interest. I hope trail days festival damascus, Virginia leads many to the trail. great lens! roll to smokin-in-the-smokies.

julieannbrady

9 years ago

Wow -- 500 miles! That is awesome -- say, I was looking for that picture of you in your hiking gear. Did I miss it? ;)

AUTHOR

Deb Kingsbury

9 years agofrom Flagstaff, Arizona

@NC Shepherd: *Gasp!* Well, if you're ever hiking or cycling or driving in your van around that area in May, you should try to go. Last time I went to TD (after my thru-hike), I went to the festival and then hiked for a week northbound through the Grayson Highlands and Troutdale. I'd love to do that again. Wanna?

NC Shepherd

9 years ago

Can you believe I've never been to Trail Days? I've been through Damascus many times, though.

anonymous

9 years ago

I had a great time at Trail Days 1999. I can't believe it's been ten years already.

Bambi Watson

9 years ago

Looks like my kind of party!

HorseAndPony LM

9 years ago

I have not been to trail days but they sound great. Thanks for sharing this is great info.

anonymous

9 years ago

This looks like a wonderful event. Thank you for telling us about it.

Cynthia Sylvestermouse

9 years agofrom United States

I have never been this brave, but it sounds like fun! Great lens!!!

divacratus 2

9 years ago

Whoa! You truly are an inspiration!

anonymous

9 years ago

Wow this is terrific! I doubt I'd be able to do this but looks like fun!

Nancy Tate Hellams

9 years agofrom Pendleton, SC

You absolutely amaze me. I keep thinking that this would have been something I would have loved to do in my younger, more healthier days. Keep Enjoying the beautiful Appalachian Trail and The Trail Days Festival in Damascus, Virginia. It all sounds so wonderful! Blessings.

Laniann

9 years ago

No, I haven't been to Trail Days or to Damascus? You are a very brave and strong women walking all those miles! Did that poor dog walk all the way?

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